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Body image distortion—patients have difficulty adjusting to their new appearance

Inability to lose weight after surgery

Excess weight loss (rare)

Problems are more common in older adults. Factors that may increase the risk of problems include:

Smoking

Recent or chronic illness, such as kidney disease

Diabetes

Heart or lung disease

Bleeding or clotting disorders

Talk to your doctor about these risks before the procedure.

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Each bariatric surgery program has specific requirements. Your program will likely include:

A physical exam and review of your medical history

Attempts to lose weight through medically approved dietary means

Ongoing consultations with a registered dietician

Mental health evaluation and counseling

Before your procedure:

Talk to your doctor about your medications, herbs, and dietary supplements. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to 1 week before the procedure.

Do not start taking any new medications, herbs, or supplements without talking to your doctor.

Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital.

Arrange for help at home as you recover.

You may be asked to take laxatives or give yourself an enema to clear your intestines.

The night before your surgery, eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight unless told otherwise by your doctor.

Shower or bathe the morning of your surgery.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used to. You will be asleep during the surgery.

Description of the Procedure

An IV line will be placed in your arm. Fluids and medication will be delivered through this line during the procedure. A breathing tube will be placed through your mouth and into your throat. It will help you breathe during surgery.

Small incisions will be made in the abdominal wall. A camera and surgical instruments will be passed through these incisions. The stomach will be divided into two parts. One part will be reconstructed to resemble a tube. The first part of the small intestine will then be bypassed by connecting the stomach tube to a section of the small intestine further down than previous attachment point.

The small incisions will be closed. Bandages may be placed over the incision sites.

Immediately After Procedure

After the operation, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation.

How Long Will it Take?

About 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours

How Much Will it Hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. As you recover, you may have some pain. You will be given pain medication.

Eating too much will cause discomfort. Work with a dietitian to create a meal plan that will provide enough nutrition without causing discomfort.

Average Hospital Stay

This is done in a hospital. The usual length of stay is 2 days. If you have any problems, you may need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

While you are recovering at the hospital, you may receive the following care:

While you are recovering at the hospital, you may receive the following care:

Pain medication will be given as needed.

On the day after surgery—you will have an x-ray to check for leaks from the stomach.

Your stomach will not only be smaller but will also be swollen after surgery. This will limit the types and amount of food you can eat. You will be started on liquids only. Medications or vitamins may also need to be crushed up or taken as liquid.

While in the hospital, you may be asked to do the following:

Use an incentive spirometer to help you take deep breaths. This helps prevent lung problems.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Bariatric surgery: what to expect. West Penn Allegheny Healthy System website. Available at:
http://www.wpahs.org/specialties/bariatric-surgery/risks-and-complications-bariatric-surgery. Accessed December 2, 2014.

Gastrointestinal surgery for severe obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at:
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm. Updated June 2011. Accessed December 2, 2014.